You've seen pictures online of the cute school lunches with fruit cut like flowers and sandwiches in shapes of animals. You think, who has time for that?? But don't worry! Packing lunch is a breeze with these easy weeknight dinner recipes that turn into delicious leftovers for school the next day; all you have to do is pack the thermoses and you're good to go!

These recipes are kind of like a two-for-one: cook once and get two meals. Win! What's best is that all these meals are just delicious the next day as they were for dinner.

Forget the sandwiches and enjoy these easy school lunch ideas from the leftovers you'll have after making these delicious dinners!

1. Hearty Vegetable Soup

This soup is a great way to pack all the veggies your kids need in one meal without all the unnecessary ingredients you'll find in canned soup! This recipe is so easy to make for dinner and even easier to pack for lunch. Just put some in a thermos and you're good to go!

2. Spaghetti Carbonara

Don't be intimidated by this spaghetti carbonara; it's actually really simple! Kids won't be able to resist the cheesy spaghetti or bacon, so this is a great dish to add to your dinner rotation. It's great for the next day's lunch packed in a thermos (unless your family gobbles it all up for dinner!)

3. Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

This creamy chicken and broccoli alfredo is made in one skillet and is an awesome way to get your kids to eat their green veggies! A perfect blend of noodles, chicken, cheese, and broccoli, this recipe is one you'll definitely want to have on hand for quick weeknight meals and easy school lunch leftovers.

4. Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Chicken and Pasta Skillet Meal

Another easy skillet meal that makes fantastic thermos lunches for school the next day! Your family will think you spent hours cooking this delicious sun dried tomato chicken dish, but it all comes together in under an hour. Kids will love to open their thermos at lunch and find this creamy pasta!

5. Crockpot Loaded Baked Potato Soup

A creamy, hearty baked potato soup that requires almost no effort? It's a winner in my book--and yours too, I'm sure! Simply throw all your ingredients in the slow cooker and let the magic happen. A dinner that cooks itself and makes great thermos lunches for school is a dinner I can love!

6. Quick and Easy Skillet Lasagna

This easy dinner requires just one skillet (less dirty dishes!) and makes delicious leftovers for you and your kids. You get the same savory, cheesy flavors of lasagna without the hours of preparation and baking. Simply place the leftovers in a thermoses for the next day and you won't even have to think about what to pack for lunch!

7. Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Crockpot meals are ideal for busy families who may not always have time to cook dinner every night. All you have to do is throw everything in and let it cook; it's as simple as that. Pair the easiness of a slow cooker meal with a classic like chicken noodle soup and you have a dinner the whole family will have seconds (or thirds) of. Your kids will love to open their lunchbox the next day and find a thermos full of this yummy soup!

8. Jambalaya Pasta Salad

Put some spice into your lunch-packing routine with this creole Jambalaya Pasta Salad! It's filling, packed with veggies, and has just a kick of Cajun spice, but feel free to adjust it to your family's preferences. Enjoy this New Orleans-inspired dish for dinner and pack cold leftovers for lunch the next day.

For recipe videos that help you add variety to your meals, visit MOMables' YouTube Channel and subscribe. For a sample dinner or lunch meal plan from MOMables, check out their website.